Delicious & Easy Homemade Strawberry Turnovers: Your Guide to Flaky Puff Pastry Perfection
Imagine biting into a golden, flaky pastry, revealing a warm, luscious strawberry filling that bursts with sweet and slightly tart flavor. Topped with a delicate vanilla icing, these homemade strawberry turnovers are pure bliss! Forget complicated baking; this recipe leverages the magic of store-bought puff pastry, making it incredibly simple to create an impressive treat that tastes like it came from a gourmet bakery. Whether it’s for a special brunch, a delightful dessert, or an indulgent snack, these turnovers are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser and become a staple in your recipe collection.
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Strawberry season is a truly special time of year, eagerly anticipated for its abundance of fresh, juicy berries. If you find yourself with a surplus of these vibrant red gems, there are countless delicious ways to enjoy them beyond just eating them plain. For more delightful ways to make the most of this wonderful season, be sure to try my comforting Strawberry Crumble, the elegant and light French Strawberry Cake, or my incredibly easy and refreshing No-Churn Strawberry Ice Cream! Each recipe highlights the unique sweetness and flavor of fresh strawberries, promising a delightful culinary experience.
Why These Strawberry Turnovers Will Be Your New Favorite Recipe
Summer days bring so much to look forward to – from lively backyard barbecues and peaceful gardening sessions to exciting road trips and sun-soaked adventures. But for many, including myself, the arrival of warmer temperatures truly signals the much-anticipated strawberry season. Those plump, intensely sweet berries are simply irresistible, whether enjoyed straight from the carton or transformed into something truly magical in the kitchen. This strawberry turnover recipe is a testament to their versatility, offering an incredibly easy and delightful way to savor the peak sweetness of springtime berries in a convenient, handheld form.
What makes these particular strawberry turnovers stand out? It’s the perfect harmony of textures and flavors achieved with minimal effort. We combine a quick-to-make, intensely fruit-forward strawberry filling with the incredibly convenient and forgiving nature of store-bought puff pastry. This clever shortcut means you get all the impressive flakiness, buttery richness, and golden-brown perfection of homemade pastry without any of the laborious effort of preparing dough from scratch. The result is a dessert (or breakfast, or brunch item!) that’s both elegant and approachable, ideal for impressing guests or simply treating yourself and your family to something truly special.
The Secret Weapon: Store-Bought Puff Pastry for Effortless Baking
Creating these delightful strawberry pastries couldn’t be simpler, and it’s largely thanks to our star ingredient: readily available frozen, store-bought puff pastry. This recipe shares the elegant simplicity of my popular peach turnovers recipe, but with its own unique strawberry flair and a vibrant, eye-catching topping. The core of this recipe involves two main components: crafting a luscious, homemade strawberry filling that’s simmered to perfection, and then lovingly encasing this fruit mixture in sheets of wonderfully convenient puff pastry.
To elevate these pastries to true bakery-quality status, we’ll add a beautiful drizzle of simple, yet perfectly sweet, vanilla icing. For an extra touch of intense strawberry flavor and a delightful pop of natural color, we’ll sprinkle crushed freeze-dried strawberries over the top of the icing. This thoughtful combination of flaky, golden pastry, juicy fruit filling, and a delicate sweet finish makes these strawberry turnovers an absolute sensation, perfect for any spring or summer gathering, from casual brunches to elegant tea parties. And if you’re a devoted fan of berry-filled treats, don’t miss out on my versatile Blueberry Cake Filling – it’s equally delicious and adaptable!
Achieving Homemade Quality with Minimal Effort: Your Easy Guide
When we talk about “making strawberry turnovers from scratch,” the truly brilliant aspect of this recipe is that we intelligently sidestep the most time-consuming and technically demanding part of traditional pastry making: preparing the puff pastry from basic ingredients. The frozen, store-bought variety is a true baking marvel, consistently delivering those desired flaky layers and rich, buttery flavor without requiring hours of folding, chilling, and complex technique. This ingenious shortcut frees up your time and energy, allowing you to focus on creating a truly sensational fruit filling and assembling your pastries with absolute ease.
The entire process is wonderfully straightforward and incredibly rewarding. We begin by combining our fresh (or perfectly thawed frozen) strawberry filling ingredients in a small saucepan. A gentle simmer transforms these simple components – diced strawberries, lemon zest, sugar, and cornstarch – into a thick, glossy, and intensely flavorful fruit mixture. This cooking process concentrates the natural sweetness of the berries, develops a deeper flavor, and eliminates any excess moisture that could otherwise make your pastry soggy. Once this vibrant filling has cooled completely, it’s ready to be folded into our conveniently prepared puff pastry sheets and baked until each turnover is beautifully golden brown and irresistibly puffy. It’s a truly effortless path to a bakery-quality treat that will impress everyone!
If you find yourself enchanted by these delightful fruit-filled pastries, you’ll undoubtedly enjoy exploring other fantastic strawberry-focused delights. For a moist and tender breakfast or snack option, consider trying these delectable strawberry muffins with cream cheese filling. If you’re in the mood for something with a delightful crunch and vibrant flavor, indulge in my Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes. And for another wonderfully comforting berry dessert, my rustic and delicious Strawberry Crisp is an absolute must-try – perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Key Ingredients for Your Flaky Strawberry Turnovers
Gathering your ingredients is the first exciting step towards making these delectable strawberry turnovers. Each component plays a vital role in creating the perfect balance of flavor and texture that makes these pastries so irresistible:
- Diced Strawberries: These are, quite literally, the star of our show! You have the flexibility to use either beautifully fresh or conveniently frozen strawberries. If opting for frozen, it’s best to allow them to thaw for about 15-20 minutes, which makes dicing them much easier and ensures even cooking in the filling. For fresh berries, selecting ripe, intensely red ones is absolutely key for the most vibrant and sweet flavor. Additionally, explore these helpful tips on how to keep summer berries fresh for longer to maximize their shelf life and flavor!
- Lemon Zest: Do not underestimate or skip this ingredient! The bright, aromatic, and slightly tart essence of lemon zest is absolutely crucial here. It acts as a powerful counterbalance to the inherent sweetness of the strawberries and sugar, preventing the filling from becoming overly sweet or one-dimensional. Instead, it creates a beautifully balanced, complex flavor profile that truly makes our strawberry turnovers shine and adds a refreshing lift.
- Granulated Sugar: This provides the perfect amount of sweetness to enhance the natural sugars already present in the strawberries. When cooked, it also helps to draw out moisture from the fruit, contributing to the rich, syrupy base of our filling. You can easily find high-quality granulated sugar in any grocery store.
- Cornstarch: Our essential secret weapon for achieving a perfectly thick and stable filling. Cornstarch works as an excellent thickener, ensuring that the strawberry mixture holds its shape beautifully within the pastry and significantly minimizes any messy leaks or seepage during the baking process. It helps create that desirable glossy, almost jam-like consistency that’s so satisfying.
- All-Purpose Flour: A small, but important, amount of flour is simply used for dusting your work surface. This crucial step prevents the delicate puff pastry from sticking as you roll, handle, and cut it, making the entire assembly process much smoother and less frustrating.
- Frozen Puff Pastry: The ultimate convenience ingredient and the foundation of our flaky delights! Store-bought puff pastry is truly magical in its ability to deliver impressive results with minimal effort. It’s incredibly easy to work with, remarkably versatile for both sweet and savory applications, and bakes up into the most wonderfully buttery, golden, and flaky layers imaginable. It’s the ideal foundation for these crisp and tender strawberry turnovers, saving you significant time and effort without compromising on quality.
- Large Egg (for Egg Wash): We’ll whisk this single egg with just a touch of water to create a simple yet effective egg wash. This serves two very important purposes: it gives the baked puff pastry a stunning, shiny, deep golden-brown finish that looks incredibly appealing, and it also acts as a powerful adhesive, helping to securely seal the edges of your turnovers and prevent the delicious filling from escaping during baking.
Once your strawberry turnovers are baked to golden perfection and have cooled slightly, it’s time to add the irresistible finishing touch: a smooth, sweet vanilla icing! Here’s what you’ll need for this simple yet essential glaze:
- Powdered Sugar: Also widely known as confectioners’ sugar, this finely milled sugar forms the perfect smooth base of our icing. For the most accurate and consistent results, I highly recommend measuring it out with a kitchen scale, or meticulously using the spoon-and-level method to ensure you don’t incorporate too much and end up with an overly thick glaze.
- Milk: Any type of milk you prefer will work beautifully here – whether it’s whole milk, skim milk, or even a non-dairy alternative like almond or oat milk. Its primary role is to delicately thin out the powdered sugar to achieve the ideal pourable, drizzly consistency for your icing, making it easy to apply to your turnovers.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: This beloved ingredient adds a classic, comforting, and wonderfully aromatic flavor to our icing, perfectly complementing the strawberries. Be sure to use a high-quality pure vanilla extract for the best and most authentic taste. For an even more homemade and impressive touch, check out my detailed post on how to make vanilla extract at home using just two simple ingredients!
- Freeze-Dried Strawberries: While this addition is entirely optional, it is highly recommended for an extra burst of flavor and visual appeal! Crushed freeze-dried strawberries not only infuse the vanilla icing with an intense, concentrated, and natural strawberry flavor but also add beautiful little flecks of vibrant red color and a subtle textural contrast, making your turnovers even more appealing and truly special. You can easily find high-quality freeze-dried strawberries at major retailers like Amazon and Target.
Expert Tips and Frequently Asked Questions for Strawberry Turnovers
Our strawberry filling for these turnovers is incredibly straightforward and designed for ease and deliciousness! To make it, simply combine all the filling ingredients – diced strawberries (fresh or thawed frozen), a bright touch of lemon zest, granulated sugar for sweetness, and cornstarch for thickening – in a small saucepan. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to ensure everything is well combined and to prevent any sticking to the bottom. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer gently for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. During this time, you’ll notice the mixture will visibly thicken and reduce, transforming into a glossy, intensely flavorful, jam-like consistency. This process is key, as it evaporates excess moisture, preventing the filling from making your puff pastry soggy. Once it’s reached the desired thickness, remove it from the heat and set it aside to cool completely before you add it to your pastry. A cooled filling ensures your puff pastry remains crisp and maintains its beautiful flaky texture!
Puff pastry is a true marvel of laminated dough, renowned for its incredible lightness and countless flaky layers. It’s traditionally made by repeatedly folding a slab of cold butter (or another solid fat) into a simple dough base. Each time the dough is rolled out and folded, hundreds of super-thin, alternating layers of dough and fat are created. When this delicate pastry is baked at a high temperature, the water in the butter rapidly turns to steam, which then forces these numerous layers apart, resulting in that distinctively airy, crisp, and beautifully flaky texture that makes puff pastry so unique and delicious. While making it from scratch can be a labor of love and requires patience, store-bought puff pastry offers the same stunning results with minimal effort, making it a fantastic shortcut for home bakers.
Frozen puff pastry sheets are a wonderfully convenient and common freezer aisle staple in virtually all major supermarkets! You can typically find them located near other frozen dessert items like cakes, pies, and frozen fruits. Popular and reliable brands such as Pepperidge Farm are widely available and consistently deliver excellent results. For added convenience, you can also often purchase puff pastry online through various retailers like Amazon, allowing you to have this versatile ingredient delivered right to your door.
To ensure a perfectly crisp and flaky bottom on your strawberry turnovers, preventing sogginess is key. Firstly, and most importantly, make sure your strawberry filling is properly thickened and completely cooled before you add it to the pastry. Excess moisture and heat from the filling are the primary culprits for a soggy bottom. Secondly, bake your turnovers on a preheated baking sheet (even better if it’s lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat) in a hot oven (400°F/200°C). The initial high heat helps to rapidly create steam within the pastry layers and cook the pastry quickly, setting its structure and creating that desired crispness before the filling has a chance to release too much moisture. Applying an egg wash not only gives a beautiful golden sheen but also creates a slight barrier, further helping to protect the pastry.
Absolutely, the versatility of this recipe is one of its best features! You can very easily adapt the fruit filling to incorporate other seasonal fruits you love, such as juicy peaches, sweet blueberries, tender apples, or a delightful medley of mixed berries. When making substitutions, just ensure that your chosen fruit is diced to a similar size to the strawberries for even cooking. Also, remember to cook and thicken the filling appropriately to manage any excess moisture, as different fruits release varying amounts of liquid. You may also need to slightly adjust the amount of sugar and lemon zest based on the natural sweetness and tartness of the fruit you select to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
Yes, this is a fantastic and convenient make-ahead option that saves you time later! To freeze unbaked strawberry turnovers, assemble them completely as directed in the recipe, but critically, do not brush them with the egg wash at this stage. Arrange the unbaked turnovers in a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet pan and place them in the freezer until they are completely solid, which usually takes a few hours. Once fully frozen, transfer them to a heavy-duty freezer bag or an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper if stacking, and they will keep beautifully for up to 1 month. When you’re ready to bake, there’s no need to thaw! Simply brush the frozen turnovers with the prepared egg wash and bake them directly from frozen at 400°F (200°C). They might require an extra 3-5 minutes of baking time, or until they are beautifully puffed, golden brown, and cooked through. Allow them to cool slightly, then you can ice them as usual before serving.
Absolutely! Cooked strawberry turnovers can also be frozen for later enjoyment, making them perfect for meal prepping or having a quick treat on hand. First, ensure your baked turnovers have completely cooled to room temperature. It is crucial to freeze them without any icing or freeze-dried strawberry topping, as these additions do not freeze or thaw well. Individually wrap each cooled turnover tightly in aluminum foil, then place the wrapped turnovers into a heavy-duty freezer bag or an airtight container. They will maintain their quality in the freezer for 1-2 months. To reheat, thaw the wrapped turnovers at room temperature. For the best flaky and crisp texture, toast them in a preheated oven at 350ºF (175°C) for approximately 5-8 minutes until they are warmed through and the pastry re-crisps. Let them cool a bit after reheating, then add your fresh vanilla icing and serve.
Each iced strawberry turnover in this recipe contains approximately 459 calories. For a comprehensive and detailed breakdown of the full nutrition information, including macronutrients and other dietary details, please refer to the complete recipe card provided below.
If you try this delightful recipe, I would be absolutely thrilled if you could leave a star review rating and a comment below! Your feedback is incredibly valuable, helping other home bakers discover this recipe and allowing me to continuously share more free and delicious culinary creations! And don’t forget to share your beautifully baked turnovers with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram and using the hashtag #cheneetoday – I can’t wait to see your results!
More Flaky Puff Pastry Recipes You’ll Love
Puff pastry is an incredibly versatile and forgiving ingredient, capable of transforming simple components into impressive and delicious treats with minimal effort. If you’ve enjoyed working with it for these delightful strawberry turnovers, you’ll love exploring these other fantastic puff pastry recipes that showcase its incredible potential:
- Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls: A delightful and quicker take on the classic cinnamon roll, perfect for breakfast or brunch.
- Peach Turnovers with Smoked Sugar: Another wonderfully satisfying fruit-filled pastry, offering a slightly different flavor profile.
- Puff Pastry Pizza: A fast, fun, and incredibly easy twist on pizza night, ideal for quick meals or appetizers.
- Pecan Pastry Braid: An elegant and visually appealing pastry, rich with nutty pecan flavor, perfect for entertaining.
- Coconut Palmiers: Simple to make yet sophisticated in taste and appearance, these crispy pastries are a treat for any occasion.
- Brie and Cranberry Tart: A savory-sweet delight, perfect as an appetizer for holidays or a light, sophisticated meal.
📖 Recipe: Easy Strawberry Turnovers
Strawberry Turnovers Recipe
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20 minutes
20 minutes
40 minutes
Brunch, Dessert, Snack
American
8
turnovers
459
kcal
Chenée Lewis
Equipment You May Need
-
¾ sheet baking pan
-
parchment paper
-
pizza cutter
-
measuring cups and spoons
-
small saucepan
-
pastry brush
-
food scale
-
cooling rack
-
silicone baking mat
Ingredients
-
2
cups
(288 g)
diced strawberries – fresh or frozen (thaw if frozen) -
½
teaspoon
(1 g)
lemon zest – packed for maximum flavor -
⅓
cup
(67 g)
granulated sugar
-
1
tablespoon
(8 g)
cornstarch
-
all-purpose flour
– for dusting your work surface -
2
sheets
frozen puff pastry – thawed according to package directions (usually 30-40 min at room temp) -
1
large
egg – beaten with 1 tablespoon water for egg wash
Vanilla Icing
-
1
cup
(120 g)
powdered sugar
– (115g, for best consistency) -
2
tablespoons
(30 ml)
milk – adjust as needed for desired thickness -
1
teaspoon
(5 ml)
pure vanilla extract
-
1
tablespoon
(15 g)
freeze-dried strawberries
– crushed, for flavor and color (optional)
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Instructions
-
1. Prepare the Strawberry Filling: In a small saucepan, combine the diced strawberries, lemon zest, granulated sugar, and cornstarch. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to ensure everything is well combined and to prevent sticking.2 cups diced strawberries,
½ teaspoon lemon zest,
⅓ cup granulated sugar,
1 tablespoon cornstarch -
2. Cool the Filling: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer, stirring frequently, for 5-7 minutes. The mixture should visibly thicken and reduce, forming a glossy, jam-like consistency. Remove from heat and set aside to cool completely. This cooling step is crucial to prevent soggy pastry.
-
3. Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
-
4. Prepare the Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, carefully unfold one sheet of thawed puff pastry. Use a rolling pin to gently roll over the pastry, flattening any creases and ensuring a relatively even square shape. This helps maintain the flaky layers.2 sheets frozen puff pastry,
all-purpose flour -
5. Cut Pastry Squares: Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, carefully cut the pastry lengthwise down the middle, then across the middle, to create 4 equal squares from each sheet of puff pastry.
-
6. Assemble Turnovers: Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of the cooled strawberry filling into the center of each puff pastry square, leaving a clear border around the edges. Lightly brush the outer edges of each pastry square with the prepared egg wash. This will help seal the turnovers effectively.1 large egg
-
7. Seal the Turnovers: Carefully fold each pastry square diagonally to create a triangle shape, completely enclosing the delicious filling. Gently press the edges together to seal them. For a more secure seal and a beautiful decorative finish, use the tines of a fork to crimp the edges tightly all around.
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8. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Repeat the filling and sealing process with the second sheet of puff pastry, creating 8 turnovers in total. Once all turnovers are assembled, carefully transfer them to your prepared baking sheet, ensuring there is enough space between each for even baking and puffing.
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9. Bake Until Golden: Bake the turnovers in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until they are beautifully puffed up, deep golden brown, and cooked through. The pastry should appear visibly flaky and crisp. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool further.
Prepare Vanilla Icing
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10. Make the Icing: While the turnovers are cooling, prepare your vanilla icing. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and pure vanilla extract until the mixture is completely smooth, glossy, and free of any lumps. If the icing is too thick for drizzling, add an additional 1-2 teaspoons of milk, one at a time, until you reach a pourable yet slightly thick consistency. If it’s too thin, gradually add a bit more powdered sugar until it thickens.1 cup powdered sugar,
2 tablespoons milk,
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract -
11. Finish and Serve: Drizzle the prepared vanilla icing generously over the slightly cooled strawberry turnovers. For an extra touch of intense strawberry flavor and a beautiful visual appeal, sprinkle them with the crushed freeze-dried strawberries. Serve warm or at room temperature and savor every flaky, fruity bite!1 tablespoon freeze-dried strawberries
Last Step!
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Video Tutorial
Notes & Storage Tips
To freeze unbaked strawberry turnovers: For an easy make-ahead option, assemble your turnovers as described in the instructions, but critically, hold off on applying the egg wash. Arrange them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place this into the freezer until the turnovers are completely solid. Once fully frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag for storage, where they’ll stay fresh for up to 1 month. When you’re ready to bake, there’s no need to thaw! Simply brush the frozen turnovers with the egg wash and bake them directly from frozen at 400°F (200°C) as you normally would. You may need to add an extra 3-5 minutes to the typical baking time, or as needed, to ensure they are fully puffed, golden brown, and cooked through. Allow them to cool slightly before adding the icing.
To freeze baked strawberry turnovers: Baked turnovers can also be frozen for later enjoyment, providing a convenient treat whenever a craving strikes. First, ensure they are completely cooled to room temperature. It is important to freeze them without any icing or freeze-dried strawberry topping, as these additions typically do not freeze or thaw well, becoming soggy or losing texture. Individually wrap each cooled turnover tightly in aluminum foil, then place the wrapped turnovers into a heavy-duty freezer bag or an airtight container. They will keep well in the freezer for 1-2 months. To reheat, thaw the wrapped turnovers at room temperature. For the best flaky and crisp texture, toast them in a preheated oven at 350ºF (175°C) for approximately 5-8 minutes until they are warmed through and the pastry re-crisps. Let them cool a bit after reheating, then add fresh icing and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Serving:
1
turnover
|
Calories:
459
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
55
g
|
Protein:
6
g
|
Fat:
24
g
|
Saturated Fat:
4
g
|
Cholesterol:
24
mg
|
Sodium:
166
mg
|
Potassium:
105
mg
|
Fiber:
2
g
|
Sugar:
26
g
|
Calcium:
29
mg
|
Iron:
2
mg
Nutrition Disclaimer
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